BILL NUMBER: AB 791	CHAPTERED  09/15/99

	CHAPTER   403
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 15, 1999
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   SEPTEMBER 15, 1999
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   AUGUST 31, 1999
	PASSED THE SENATE   AUGUST 26, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   AUGUST 17, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   JUNE 21, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   JUNE 15, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   JUNE 1, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   MAY 6, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 27, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Thomson and Migden
   (Coauthor:  Assembly Member Aroner)
   (Coauthors:  Senators O'Connell and Solis)

                        FEBRUARY 24, 1999

   An act to amend Section 2089 of the Business and Professions Code,
to add Section 1254.7 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to the
healing arts.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 791, Thomson.  Healing arts:  pain management.
   Existing law regulates the practice of medicine, and sets forth
curriculum requirements for all applicants for a physician's and
surgeon's license.
   This bill would add pain management and end-of-life care to the
curriculum requirements for persons entering medical school on or
after June 1, 2000.
   Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of health
facilities by the State Department of Health Services.  Under
existing law, violation of these provisions is a misdemeanor.
   This bill would require every health facility licensed pursuant to
these provisions, as a condition of licensure, to include pain as an
item to be assessed at the same time as vital signs are taken.  By
changing the definition of a crime, this bill would impose a
state-mandated local program.
  The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state.  Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 2089 of the Business and Professions Code is
amended to read:
   2089.  (a) Each applicant for a physician's and surgeon's
certificate shall show by official transcript or other official
evidence satisfactory to the Division of Licensing that he or she has
successfully completed a medical curriculum extending over a period
of at least four academic years, or 32 months of actual instruction,
in a medical school or schools located in the United States or Canada
approved by the division, or in a medical school or schools located
outside the United States or Canada which otherwise meets the
requirements of this section.  The total number of hours of all
courses shall consist of a minimum of 4,000 hours.  At least 80
percent of actual attendance shall be required.  If an applicant has
matriculated in more than one medical school, the applicant must have
matriculated in the medical school awarding the degree of doctor of
medicine or its equivalent for at least the last full academic year
of medical education received prior to the granting of the degree.
   (b) The curriculum for all applicants shall provide for adequate
instruction in the following subjects:
   Alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency, detection and
treatment.
   Anatomy, including embryology, histology, and neuroanatomy.
   Anesthesia.
   Biochemistry.
   Child abuse detection and treatment.
   Dermatology.
   Geriatric medicine.
   Human sexuality.
   Medicine, including pediatrics.
   Neurology.
   Obstetrics and gynecology.
   Ophthalmology.
   Otolaryngology.
   Pain management and end-of-life care.
   Pathology, bacteriology, and immunology.
   Pharmacology.
   Physical medicine.
   Physiology.
   Preventive medicine, including nutrition.
   Psychiatry.
   Radiology, including radiation safety.
   Spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment.
   Surgery, including orthopedic surgery.
   Therapeutics.
   Tropical medicine.
   Urology.
   (c) The requirement that an applicant successfully complete a
medical curriculum that provides instruction in pain management and
end-of-life care shall only apply to a person entering medical school
on or after June 1, 2000.
  SEC. 2.  Section 1254.7 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to
read:
   1254.7.  (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that pain be
assessed and treated promptly, effectively, and for as long as pain
persists.
   (b) Every health facility licensed pursuant to this chapter shall,
as a condition of licensure, include pain as an item to be assessed
at the same time as vital signs are taken.  The health facility shall
ensure that pain assessment is performed in a consistent manner that
is appropriate to the patient.  The pain assessment shall be noted
in the patient's chart in a manner consistent with other vital signs.

  SEC. 3.  No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the
only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district
will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction,
eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime
or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government
Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of
Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
